Prepare yourself for a voyage into this wild and other worldly environment. The sub-Antarctic Falkland Islands/Malvinas and South George are home to some of the most unique and abundant wildlife on earth, one of the most jaw dropping nature scenes you will ever experience.
Highlights
- Join this epic 21-day Antarctic adventure, the ultimate bucket list wildlife extravaganza
- Witness seals lounging on drifting ice floes and the comedic antics of penguins
- Let this magical world unfold as you encounter curious orca, humpback and minke whales
- Explore the fascinating history of the area dating back to a bygone era when Antarctic Exploration was at its most heroic
- Visit Port Stanley on the Falkland Islands/Malvinas
- Experience penguin rookeries with hundreds of thousands of nesting penguins on South Georgia
- Visit Grytviken, a former whaling station and the final resting place of Sir Ernest Shackleton
- Revel in the long days of exploration as you explore Antarctica in the height of the summer
Day by day
- Arrive into Ushuaia in the far south of Argentine Patagonia. Check in to the luxury Arakur Resort and Spa. Relax or explore.
- Relax at the hotel or explore Ushuaia, visit the museums and leather markets or walk the trails near the hotel. Evening briefing.
- Morning exploring or relaxing. Mid-afternoon transfer to the ship for boarding. Expedition team and ship staff will welcome you on board and get you settled in. Safety and orientation briefing and Captain’s welcome dinner. Leave for Antarctica.
- Day 4: Things start to ramp up with plenty of wildlife to see as we head east across the Antarctic convergence and officially enter Antarctic waters. Shipboard presentations continue featuring topics such as the captivating history and wildlife.
- Explore some of the westernmost outposts in the Falklands/Malvinas, a remote archipelago renowned for its rugged terrain and cliff lined coast. Stretch your legs on farmland and beaches and visit albatross and penguin colonies, opportunity to see rockhopper, king and Magellanic penguin rookeries.
- Visit Stanley’s sheltered harbour and museum. Continue to Gypsy Cove, a national nature preserve. Witness penguins and other native bird species including night herons, meadowlarks and more.
Day 7-8: Continue through the Southern Ocean east across the Antarctic convergence to enter Antarctic waters. Chance to see the world’s largest bird, the wandering albatross. Witness a range of impressive bird species hitching a ride on the ocean updrafts. Watch out for whales and your first iceberg sighting.
Day 9-12: South Georgia is often referred to as the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean and it’s easy to see why as you take in literally millions of breeding penguins, seals and seabirds. Dramatic mountain scenery, majestically sculpted icebergs and glaciers all around complement the array of wildlife as you travel down South Georgia’s leeward coast.
Day 13-14: As we cross the Scotia Sea heading south we will continue our informative presentations and wildlife watching as the icebergs get bigger and more prolific.
Day 15-18: Explore the picturesque bays and harbours of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands as we navigate the iceberg-rich channels. Visit scentific bases and historic landing sites.
Day 19-20: Time to leave these magical landscapes and journey north crossing the legendary Drake Passage. Special slide show and farewell dinner.
Day 21: Disembark the ship in the morning to continue exploring southern Argentina or with onward travel.
Is this trip for me?
- Join this epic 21 day voyage with a strong focus on wildlife and photography exploring the Southern Ocean, the West Falklands (Malvinas), South Georgia, the Scotia Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula. The ultimate Antarctic voyage for nature lovers and those with a spirit of adventure.
- The trip takes place on a ship built for Antarctic waters with the highest ice rating. There is a full wrap-around viewing deck and multiple event spaces with huge viewing windows throughout. With on board facilities such as a gym & sauna, the ship delivers a superior level of comfort and safety even in challenging seas with its state of the art stabilizing system. The service is personal with a focus on laid back luxury with exploration and adventure at its centre. The aim being to get you immersed into this unique and extraordinary landscape.
- Medical insurance with aero evacuation is mandatory.
- Sustainability is at the forefront of the experience, the company has reduced their per passenger emissions by 20%. Onboard, the use of plastic has been reduced by 50% with a goal of zero unrecycled plastic by 2025.
- The crossing of the Drake Passage can be rough and you should be mentally prepared for this.
- There are a mix of cabins to choose from according to your requirements and budget, all cabins have exterior views with a sitting area with chairs (or sofa) and table, complimentary mini-bar, flat screen TV, telephone, safe, independent temperature controls, luxury toiletries and hair dryer.
- Included in the ship’s facilities are two elevators serving all passenger decks, a library with computers, fitness centre and sauna, citizen science laboratory
- The ship sails with a maximum of 138 passengers onboard so no dinner shifts, no waiting for zodiacs and accessibility and availability of onboard crew and staff at all times.
- Single participants can either pay a single supplement or they will share a hotel room/cabin with an operator-appointed person of the same gender.
- The trip kicks off with two nights at the luxurious Arakur Resort & Spa in Ushuaia, a chance to unwind after the travel and enjoy relaxing or exploring the trails in the area. This also provides an important buffer in the event of any flight or travel delays.
- The ship has Zodiac boats that are perfect for landings and wildlife spotting
- The trip is available for children aged 12 and older, children aged 7-11 may also be accepted on a case by case basis (with additional screening prior to booking and completion of a waiver). Children must be aged 12 to participate in camping and the polar plunge and aged 16+ to participate in kayaking (no exceptions).
- All participants will be asked to submit basic medical information prior to departure with the option to complete more detailed information as requested.
- The operator will do everything possible to complete the voyage as outlined in the itinerary however these trips are heavily dependent on weather and ice conditions and occasionally itinerary changes might be necessary.
- Prices start at US$17,815 per person (based on triple share, special rate for 24/25 season). For the 25/26 season prices start at at US$16,235 per person (includes early booking discount)
- Contact us for up to the minute availability, pricing, details and early booking deals.